This is version 2 of my (now) seven-year old son's castle. He incorporated designs from some of the great creations we have looked at on these pages. The primary goal of this creation was playability. In addition, he wanted to change this to the black and red (Darth Vader colours) that he originally wanted.

Everyone contributed to this design. I designed the hinge elements as well as the drawbridge and portcullis. I also threw the stable together quickly one morning for my son's show-and-tell - he will redesign it at his leisure. My daughter designed the area that the chains for the drawbridge pass through. My wife came up with the designs for incorporating the necessary red into the castle.

The story:

After the battle between Lord Androctonus and the Mouse Princess of the Dessert, which led to the destruction of Lord Androctonus’ previous castle Androctonus has been forced to fall back to his summer keep.

He is training his forces to battle these agile desert female warriors that the Princess has employed. Her forces were too fast for Androctonus’ heavily armed forces to battle in the shifting sands of the desert. The numbers were even, but the battle was certainly one-sided.

The Princess won that battle, but the war is far from over. Androctonus will be back to crush the Princess and her army.

Unfortunately, the Princess had been forced to empty her Castle to attack Androctonus. In doing so, she left "The Pink Pyramid" unprotected. When she returned to her castle after the battle she found her palace destroyed and looted. And although there was no evidence, she believes that Dratsab was responsible for this offense.

This is the front gate that sits on one side of the moat, while the castle sits on the other. A relatively simple design, but certainly functional. The moat is still under construction.

The portcullis took several versions to make one that would stand up to regular play.

The top mounted catapults were a last minute (literally) addition for my son’s show-and-tell. He liked the design, and so far they have stayed.

Back view – the inside is not finished.

The afore mentioned stable that is waiting to be redesigned.

Here is the whole castle (less the stables) showing the working drawbridge. Lord Androctonus is sitting upon his steed on the drawbridge.

Front of the castle w/the bridge up.

Several large figure elements have been added.

The only two blue pieces – still waiting for the red ones to come in from Bricklink.

Rear view; you can see the hinges that allow for the opening of the back walls.

Back view.

Castle opened for viewing and playing.

Lord Androctonus and his personal guard – my son spent about an hour creating the throne, with this being the third version.

Prince Dano with his guard and confidant Shorty. Shorty is a dwarf that had been transformed into a troll by Baron Dratsab. Shorty, in his previous thieving life, had decided that Dratsab had too much gold, and that this gold should be redistributed to those of lesser wealth (like himself). Dratsab, unfortunately for Shorty, took exception to this offense and taught poor Shorty a lesson.

Dano met Shorty in the mountains when he was young. Dano was the only person who would set aside his prejudices and talk to Shorty now that he was a troll; as such, Shorty returned this simple favour by refusing to leave Dano’s side.

Dano has been training daily with his self designed double-bladed weapon. Unfortunately, Dano was visiting the healers weekly for the first two-years of his training with the weapon until he managed to master the deadly weapon.

The drawbridge mechanism.

Fireplace and couch.

Kitchen

The library and Lord Androctonus’ wizard – Trinotatus. Trinotatus specializes in fire based magic as well as an ability to influence the behaviours of birds – especially raptors.

Androctonus’ spy/assassin, Viperidae (not visualized well) makes sure that Androctonus has the information he needs, and helps to eliminate those that should get in his way. Viperidae also has some unknown magical abilities and there are rumours that he can transform himself into a giant snake.

What an awesome castle, the best!!!! I just reconnected with Lego with my 4 year old son who is in love with Lego, unfortunately both of us are horrid at building!! How many pieces did this take? I would love to try and build this with my son.. Any advice you can throw me would be greatly appreciated. Once again, awesome castle!!!

I've missed that - What a masterpiece ! It could be turn easily into a Spyrius fortress. Your son is skilled, even if you've helped him ! It's the kind of big castle we've all dreamed of in our chilhood. The playability seems awesome. Great !

If only I had THIS to play with when I was seven!! I could imagine one would have much more fun with this then any of the purchasable castle sets :P. I like how your entire family was involved. Definitely a 100% excellent creation.

Sooo good!
So much Knights Kingdom
I also like the use of the opening system, and the bridge stuff
your son should make a whole kingdom, also a little city, for the normal people, with walls around and stuff, i think he wouls like it then

OMG!!!!!! u are such an awesome builder. How do you get all those pieses. Whenever i check on bricklink, there are all like one brick for 3 bucks. YOU ARE SUCH AN AWESOME BUILDER!!!!! oh wait i already said that. oh well. hey check out my stuff. i know its not great, but i don't have unlimited resources. I am a long time fan of u. CYA!!!!!!